I am featuring something very sacred this time around. The Maleldo - a reenactment of the crusifiction of Christ here in the Philippines in the City of San Fernando every Holy Week (Easters).

The History of Maleldo:

The re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion that is practiced each year in the City of San Fernando originated in 1955 with the staging of “Via Crusis” (Way of the Cross), the only Kapampangan piece on the passion of the Christ written by an amateur, Ricardo Navarro.

It was first performed during the Holy Week fifty years ago by an amateur volunteer artists of Barangay (barrio) San Pedro Cutud, who like the rest of the Filipinos during that period, had time on their hands because work or exertion on those holy days was taboo.

It was only in 1962 that the barangay first witnessed an actual crucifixion during the play. The Christ was potrayed by Artemio Anoza, a resident of nearby Apalit town and a quack doctor who dreamt that he would become a religious leader and full-fledged healer. Wanting to realize this dream, he volunteered himself to be crucified as a sacrifice.

Since then, not a year passed without an actual crucifixion taking place during the re-enactment that has now been joined in by many penitents as a “panata” or vow of sacrifice.

In 1965, the role players and the penitents were invited to perform the sacrifice outside the barangay, this time in Betis, Guagua. The occasion caught national interest and subsequently became an international tourist attraction.

Through the years, Rolando Navarro passed on the family tradition he began to his son Ricardo and then to his grandson Allan Navarro who is the present director of the street play Via Crusis.

Every Good Friday is the time that you should be in Cutud, San Fernando Pampanga as this is where thousands of people come to witness this sacred rite. To help you find your way around there here is the map of the place for your reference:

Here is a video of what you can expect to see once you get there tomorrow:

If you want to know more about this rite come and visit the City's Website:

2
comments:

Hi Metz.I saw this Easter ritual on TV before. I think it´s strange. Personally, I rather think about Jesus out of the cross, spreading love around the world, instead of pain. But that´s just my way of thinking, I respect all culture´s religions. To me there´s only one God.A Peaceful Easter to my friend in the other side of the world :) xxx

Yup this is a rite that a lot of people find a bit weird and sometimes a bit hard to swallow. I myself believe in doing things the smart way even if it comes with religion but these people have put devotion to a different level and for a lot of those that take on these roles claim that they get rewarded for it somehow by God. :) But over all it has become a spectacle and has placed this city on the tourist map :) Happy easter dear :) xoxo